Maryland health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of measles this year, adding to the growing number of infections reported across the United States. The Maryland Department of Health announced on Sunday that a Howard County resident tested positive for the highly contagious disease following international travel. The case has prompted a public health warning, particularly for individuals who may have been in the same locations as the infected individual. Officials advised that those who visited Terminal A of Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. or Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department on Friday between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. may have been exposed.
The department is working to trace potential contacts and has begun notifying individuals who may have shared flights or visited the same locations during the exposure period. However, the identity of the patient and their vaccination status have not been disclosed. The country they recently traveled to has also not been revealed.
This new case in Maryland comes as Texas and New Mexico battle growing measles outbreaks. The outbreak in West Texas has already resulted in at least 198 reported cases, with health officials closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, New Mexico health officials reported an alarming rise in cases, jumping from 10 to 30 in just a day. The outbreak has already led to two deaths, underscoring the severity of the situation.
So far in 2025, measles cases have been confirmed in at least 13 jurisdictions across the country. Along with Texas, New Mexico, and Maryland, confirmed cases have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington. The rapid spread of the virus has raised concerns among public health officials, especially as vaccination rates have declined in certain areas.
Measles remains rare in New Mexico, where only one case was reported in each of the last two years following a period of no reported cases from 2020 to 2022. The disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to widespread vaccination efforts, but sporadic outbreaks have occurred in recent years, often linked to international travel and unvaccinated individuals. The current outbreaks highlight the ongoing risk posed by declining vaccination coverage in some communities.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a distinctive red rash that spreads across the body. Complications can be severe, particularly for young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The disease can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death in severe cases.
Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination as the most effective way to prevent measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides strong protection, with two doses offering about 97% effectiveness. Public health officials urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated on schedule and encourage all individuals who have not received the MMR vaccine to do so as soon as possible.
With outbreaks spreading and cases on the rise, health authorities are urging vigilance and immediate action to contain the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the situation and provide guidance to affected states. Officials stress that timely vaccination, prompt identification of cases, and swift public health measures are crucial in preventing further spread.
